[Mbodell]

ACBL 7x7 sectional BCD (all players under 1500 MP) swiss teams scored based on a 20 VP scale. Our team has not been playing well, but are 3-3 and +3 on average (63) going in to the final round. We are playing SA, 1♣ could be 4=4=3=2, w/ 12-14 NT, and 1430. We are playing against an OK team that we definitely should beat if we were on our form, but may not if we continue our mediocre play.

We get this key board that decides if we finish in the money, so to speak:

Scoring: IMP

W  N   E  S
... ...  ...  P
P  1♣ 1♠ 2♥
3♦ 3♥ 4♦ 4NT
5♦ 5♠ P  6♥
All pass

---

Q1: Do you agree with the NS bidding?

Q2: Opening lead is the ♦A,♦2,♦T to you (opponents CC says standard leads and signals). Plan the play.

[pclayton]

I'll try.

Spades look to be 0-6 since LHO didn't lead one.

Diamonds seem to be 7-4 or 6-5. Neither makes sense. With 7 you'd think LHO has a preempt (especially with a side void) but if RHO has 5, you'd think you'd hear more than 4♦. Still, 6-5 seems more likely to me. RHO didn't make a lightner double, so I don't think clubs are 6-0.

LHO / RHO can be 0=2=6=5/ 6=1=5=1 or 0=3=6=4 or 6=0=5=2. I need to finesse the club to bring this home.

Ruff diamond, ♥K (can't hurt with RHO marked with a max of 1♥). If RHO shows out - ♣ to Q, ruff ♣, ♥ to Q, ruff club, ♥A, claim (7♥, 4♣ and a spade toward hand later).

This is the general idea. If both follow to the ♥K, I'll instead try heart to Queen and a spade. Best is for RHO to duck. Hook the club and another spade. RHO wins and plays a diamond. I'll take 7♥, 2♠, ♠ ruff and 2 clubs.

[bid_em_up]

pclayton, on Oct 29 2007, 02:36 AM, said:

Spades look to be 0-6 since LHO didn't lead one.

Phil,

Although I like (and somewhat agree with) your line, would you really expect LHO holding the AK(Q) of diamonds and a stiff spade to lead the spade initially?

[Codo]

if the spades are 0-6, why did East not jump to 2 Spade or higher ( With a possible 6/5 hand)? Maybe he is too strong for this, but in this case, why did he bid just 4 Diamond? So I give him a good 5/4 hand with spades and diamonds and we had luck with the lead.

And I doubt that the club finesse is working but I have too many communication problems to try any other line, so I agree with Phils line.

[pclayton]

bid_em_up, on Oct 29 2007, 06:39 AM, said:

pclayton, on Oct 29 2007, 02:36 AM, said:

Spades look to be 0-6 since LHO didn't lead one.

Phil,

Although I like (and somewhat agree with) your line, would you really expect LHO holding the AK(Q) of diamonds and a stiff spade to lead the spade initially?

LHO led the Ace and RHO signaled the 10. It doesn't appear to me that LHO has the ♦AK but its possible.

Anyway, even if I was looking at the ♦AK and I heard this auction, I would need two tricks to beat this. One possibility is that both diamonds cash and the other is that we can negotiate a spade ruff if pard has either major suit ace.

[pclayton]

Codo, on Oct 29 2007, 07:38 AM, said:

if the spades are 0-6, why did East not jump to 2 Spade or higher ( With a possible 6/5 hand)? Maybe he is too strong for this, but in this case, why did he bid just 4 Diamond? So I give him a good 5/4 hand with spades and diamonds and we had luck with the lead.

And I doubt that the club finesse is working but I have too many communication problems to try any other line, so I agree with Phils line.

Roland - just because RHO holds 6♠ / 5♦ doesn't mean that he has the right hand for a WJO.

As I stated before, I still think this is more likely than LHO holding 7♦'s, but both seem remote. The bidding is odd, but this is what you face against weaker players in real life.

[mike777]

Mbodell, on Oct 29 2007, 12:42 AM, said:

ACBL 7x7 sectional BCD (all players under 1500 MP) swiss teams scored based on a 20 VP scale. Our team has not been playing well, but are 3-3 and +3 on average (63) going in to the final round. We are playing SA, 1♣ could be 4=4=3=2, w/ 12-14 NT, and 1430. We are playing against an OK team that we definitely should beat if we were on our form, but may not if we continue our mediocre play.

We get this key board that decides if we finish in the money, so to speak:

Scoring: IMP

W  N   E  S
... ...  ...  P
P  1♣ 1♠ 2♥
3♦ 3♥ 4♦ 4NT
5♦ 5♠ P  6♥
All pass

---

Q1: Do you agree with the NS bidding?

Q2: Opening lead is the ♦A,♦2,♦T to you (opponents CC says standard leads and signals). Plan the play.

Strongly prefer bidding 6H rather than 4nt with a void, even if you wish to assume opp have ace of D.

[Mbodell]

pclayton, on Oct 29 2007, 02:36 AM, said:

I'll try.

Spades look to be 0-6 since LHO didn't lead one.

Diamonds seem to be 7-4 or 6-5. Neither makes sense. With 7 you'd think LHO has a preempt (especially with a side void) but if RHO has 5, you'd think you'd hear more than 4♦. Still, 6-5 seems more likely to me. RHO didn't make a lightner double, so I don't think clubs are 6-0.

LHO / RHO can be 0=2=6=5/ 6=1=5=1 or 0=3=6=4 or 6=0=5=2. I need to finesse the club to bring this home.

Ruff diamond, ♥K (can't hurt with RHO marked with a max of 1♥). If RHO shows out -  ♣ to Q, ruff ♣, ♥ to Q, ruff club, ♥A, claim (7♥, 4♣ and a spade toward hand later).

This is the general idea. If both follow to the ♥K, I'll instead try heart to Queen and a spade. Best is for RHO to duck. Hook the club and another spade. RHO wins and plays a diamond. I'll take 7♥, 2♠, ♠ ruff and 2 clubs.

T1(West): A♦ 2♦ T♦ 2♥
T2(South): K♥ T♥ 8♥ 9♥
T3(South): 3♥ 3♦ Q♥ J♥

So this was surprising to you based on your line and reasoning as it was RHO who had 2♥ and LHO who only had 1♥. Never the less:

T4(North): 4♠ 6♠ ???

Q3: Do you play the K♠, J♠, or 9♠ from south's hand (what holdings do you cater to and why)?